‘Sameer, Sameer Malik, Technical Analyst‘, she said the name putting her lips closer to the mouthpiece. The cooing engines made it difficult for her to listen. She was crying when the operator said – sorry this person doesn’t works for us. Were her friends right – was he really not worth taking the risk for?

(Image Courtesy : Getty Images)

The date was now ending after saying bye to each other since last one hour. The gotta go and bye take care were coming after each interjection of missing you. The vibes were mutual – of not letting go off that moment – the precious moment where they two were in their own little world.

Music mood : currently playing – Haare haare haare hum to dil se haare (OST – Josh)

He was still confused. He couldn’t understand what was that that happened five minutes back. Was it a lucky streak or a sheer banal expression of affection from her?

He was holding his right cheek and trying to figure out what that kiss meant, when did it happen so suddenly and what did it implied?

(my first attempt at 55ers, a story woven in just 55 words – what do you think?)

Hi blogfolks,

I am here to share some pieces of flair with you that are apt just for you.

Since I am not into awards and all that I thought let me give my blogfolks a piece of flair that I have collected so far…

1. Nikhil –  Hope you don’t delete your blog macha!!!

For my lost Macha sob sob

2. Amit – The procastinator into hibernation for a long time now!!

Its high time - make a come back

3. Harsh – The Harry Potter afficiando – I LOVE  his BLOG and his occasional rants about Delhi and the sister city Ghaziabad on twitter

After all your whole blog is based on the theme

4. Ishmeet – The techno geek – the Apple worshipper, the owner of TWO NEW LAPTOPS (yeah someone pls kidnap him)

I hope you have the time of your life

5. Reema – I am scared of you Reema……confession time…reallly I am… don’t know why but I am

I am scared of all the teachers infact

6. Avada – The girl keeps amazing me….with every new post of hers.

Golden girl charming her spells on us

7. Suda – The Mr India of wordpress…laal chashma lagau kya..don’t know where he is!!

You are the most talkative guy I have ever come across

8. Scorpia – I know for a fact that she is a lot like me…absent minded part included

Dory is perfect for you...js keep swimming

9. Sakhi – meri pyaari sakhi..thank you for being there always..

10. Vishesh – and how did I forget you…now as I have committed this sin, here I give you two pieces…with a real sweet sorry…. forgive me…and my absent mindedness

His poems makes us think this!!

I am sure this is true for you

Well well well guess who is finally updating the blog with awards update – me ….dumb question…

I have two pending tags since eternity…well you have full liberties to hang me….I won’t give reasons  after all new project, uni workload or severe case of tonsillitis is not a reason to stop me from acknowledging the love showered by you three angels…

Lets start with the tags first. First ones from Priya…tagged on 15 October 2009…hmmm its still October

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
God I look super hot in this pink halter neck top so glad summers are back….

2. How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?
umm $20 I don’t use cash at all

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
More????

4. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
No one….I always delete my recent calls (how freaky coincidentally same is that Priya??)

5. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Awara bhanwarey Jo Haule Haule Gaaye

6. What are you wearing right now?
Pink Halter Neck and Capris

7. Do you label yourself?
I belong to labels – Carlton London, The Body Shop and Ardens and Chambors are calling me

8. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently own?
Nike (freakkkkyyyy) if we talking about my sneakers..

9. Bright or Dark Room?
Dark

10. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
Awesome and I love her comments on FB infact I look forward to them

11. What does your watch look like?
I don’t wear a watch but I have over 20 watches

12. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Gasping for breath (I am sick!!! dayyyummmnnn sinusitis and tonsillitis)

13.What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
“Hey mehak hows your throat? Hope you feelin better…have a good weekend and take heaps of rest ”  thank you Raj Baba

14. What’s a word that you say a lot?
Awwwiiiee, muuuaaah, yaay, wow – thanks for whopppa Priya..I will try to say it Bing style

15. Who told you he/she loved you last?(please exclude spouse , family, children)
I am not telling

16. Last furry thing you touched?
Dholu – my sweet elephant…! 

17. Favourite age you have been so far?
from 0 – present!

18.  What was the last thing you said to someone?
Teri hone lagi hu jabse mili hoon..

19. The last song you listened to?
Tera Hone Laga Hoon (APKGK)

20. Where did you live in 1987?
Delhi

21. Are you jealous of anyone?
Nopes

22. Is anyone jealous of you?
Hhahah lots I can’t even count them on my fingers…

23. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Clothes , my phone, tissue

24. What’s your favourite town/city?
Delhi and Rarotonga

25. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Last year to mom..a long one…….

26. Can you change the oil on a car?
So we add oil apart from petrol..aaah interesting…

27. Your first love/big crush: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
First big crush is still studying and highly disappointed with me

28. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
my eyes, my throat, my head, my whole body –  I AM SICKKKKKKK mummmmmmyyyyyyyyyy

29. What is your current desktop picture?
Auckland city view from Mt Eden 

30. Have you been burnt by love?
Nopes…..I get cooling effects from it

Second tag is from Avada…..I am loving this girl even more…… there are two tags – first one – Guilty or Innocent I have done already, here

The other one is interesting and here is my attempt……go ahead..read it

TAG #02 : How DUMB are you?
The more [x]’ s the “dumber” you are.

I am scared of doing this….specially when I have been labelled Rachel many times..so here goes…

[] Gum has fallen out of your mouth when you were talking
[ X ] Gum has fallen out of your mouth when you were NOT talking
[X] You have ran into a glass/screen door
[  ] You have jumped out of a moving vehicle
[X] You have thought of something funny while walking by yourself
[X] Laughed, then watched people give you weird looks
[ X ] You have run into a tree/bush.
[  ] You know that it IS possible to lick your elbow
[ X ] You have tried to lick your elbow… a few times
[ X ] You never knew that the Alphabet and Twinkle Twinkle Little star have the same rhythm.
[ X ] You just tried to sing them.

So far: 8

[ X] You have tripped on your shoelace and fallen.
[ ] You have choked on your own spit .
[ ] You have seen the Matrix and still don’t get it.
[ ] You’ve never seen the Matrix.
[ ] You type only with two fingers.
[X] You have accidentally caught something on fire
[] You tried to drink out of a straw, but it went into your nose/eyes.
[ ] You have caught yourself drooling.
[ ] You have fallen asleep in class and fell outta your chair

So far: 10

[ ] Sometimes you just stop thinking
[X] You are telling a story and forget what you were talking about
[ ] People often shake their heads and walk away from you
[ ] You are often told to use your “inside voice”.
[X ] You use your fingers to do simple math
[ X] You have eaten a bug
[X] You are taking this test when you should be doing something more important
[X] You have put your clothes on backwards or inside out, and didn’t realize it
[X] You’ve looked all over for something and realized it was in your hand
[ ] You have ran around naked in your house.

So far: 16

[ ] You repost bulletins because you are scared that what they say will happen to you if you don’t.
[X] You break a lot of things.
[ ] Your friends know not to use big words around you.
[ X] You tilt your head when you’re confused
[X] You have fallen out of your chair before
[X] When you’re lying in bed, you try to find pictures in the texture of the ceiling or wall
[X ] The word “ummmmm” is used many times a day.

TOTAL: 21 now someone pls give me 21 guns salute in honour of my dumbness…eh!!!

Thank you Priya for the international bloggers awards yet to come across another desi from NZ on wordpress,  Avada for the three awards…wohooo and Reema for the addicting blog award??? really???

my best budd

1. I love his pranks and the awesomely sounding Bazingaaaa. Specially when he gets Leonard to change the calculations on the board from U238 to U235 – absolutely hilarious.

2. I love the way he hates Leslie Winkle and thinks the only contribution she can make to science is when they start sending the chimps back again to the space.

3. I love the way he is specific about his ’spot’, his ‘food’, his ‘fibre content intake’ and his ‘bowel movement timings’ as announced well via his tweet.

4. I love the way he knocks the door – Knock Knock Penny, Knock knock Penny, Knock Knock Penny or the way he folds his clothes – tees, sheets and even socks using that amazing folding gadget he has created.

5. I love the way how he derives there are no ‘incorrect’ equations on Leslie’s board and how inconsiderate she is by way of a text message or the way he believes he can have superpower one day or he is willing to be pet of a superintelligent alien!

6. I love the way he behaves when he is sick – would you say if its moss green or forest green? Would you rub this on my chest – vaporub makes my hand smell funny. Can you rub it in anti clockwise it hurts my chest hair.

7. I love the way he pesters Leonard – Did you ask them the carrots and cabbage to be shredded not diced, extra rice, brown rice, did you get the mustard, did you get the low sodium soy sauce – then what took you so long?

8. I love the way he points at the room mate agreement clauses, the way others are allowed only three strikes and how you are out if you get those three strikes – by the way you can take his class online too.

9. I love the way he says Bazingaa and how confused he is about ’sarcasm’ or ‘friends with benefits’ or ‘tie on door’ concept or ‘banal chitchat or the way he has 212 friends on Myspace and the best part is he doesn’t have to meet them!

10. I love the way he twitches his eyes and his whole face when he can not solve a ‘conundrum’ – formal protest – denied, informal protest – denied! I love the way how he is always right EXCEPT the ‘Jiminy’ cricket solution. I love the way how he explains steps to Penny to enter his room and find the flash drive. I love the way he forgets his key one time and tells Penny – we have a ‘bowl’.

I love you Sheldon Cooper….rock paper scissors lizard spock! Worst renaissance fair ever! A rocket scientist? you might as well say I am a toll collector – rocket scientist…how humiliating! Insane – My mother had me tested, nice motivational speech from our lead guitarist, fascinating, Oh dear lord, I am getting free dinner, but they have only one burger at Big Boy, my mother got me those pants, If you use my toothbrush I will jump out of that window and and please don’t come to my funeral, if you look at the bottom it says urine cup, I am physicist I know everything, able to prove String theory, you went to the comic store without me. no percussion or bass instrument, oh listen to yourself. There! There! It must be humbling to suck on so many different levels. You told me it’s mind-blowing, so my mind is going into it pre-blown. Once a mind is pre-blown, it cannot be re-blown. Do you realize what this means? All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy!

On Piano - To life, to life, l'chai-im, l'chaim, l'chaim to life

Posted in thoughts ]]> http://mindflirting.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/10-reasons-why-i-am-in-love-with-sheldon-moonpie-cooper/feed/ 7 fruity http://mindflirting.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/taj-mahal-replica/ http://mindflirting.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/taj-mahal-replica/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:06:59 +0000 Mahak http://mindflirting.wordpress.com/?p=721 ]]>

This headline caught my eye like many other fellow Indians in Auckland. I was not sure what to express-  be happy about having an Indian icon near my home or being sad about obnoxious flow of funds. After all $20mn NZD is not a small sum!!

The question that instantly striked my inquisitive mind was – Why exactly do we need a replica? Why exactly do we need to spend $20mn NZD on a replica? The Mahatma Gandhi Centre itself where this replica is going to be created is a hub of all Indian activities – festive celebrations, weddings, religious ceremonies and the amazingly crowded garba nights! It already is an Auckland attraction standing testimonial to Indian culture and community!

The funding committee is suggesting that this will promote the city as a tourist attraction! I wonder how? I mean if someone would like to see Taj Mahal why wouldn’t they prefer going to India (Kiwis are already crazy about India and the Taj and the bollywood//AR Rahman//butter chicken//saag aaloo//lamb saagwala and the Rajasthan stories!!) and see the original version (that’s another issue that India itself has failed to promote itself as a tourist destination courtesy the niceties served to the foreigners via rape, robbery, overcharging and cheating).

Also note that the funding committee is largely supported by the omnipresent Gujarati community. The community behind the sprawling and elderly-friendly Akshardham complex in Delhi – I don’t even wanna start on this right now!! I am too afraid of my mom who thinks its just too beautiful! Yeah right mom. I have promised you earlier not to talk against it. The community has done amazing work for charitable hospitals, schools and old age home and kudoz to them for that but I sincerely don’t understand why it is spending $20mn over a replica now?

Auckland itself is a beautiful city. The beautiful buildings and the lovely views and the lushious greenery – does it really need an ostentious Indian Taj Mahal replica to be promoted as a tourist attraction? The City of Sails has so many other points of attraction – why do we need an Indianized epitome complete with marble mausoleum, a pool and gold-plated ornaments?? Its pathetic when we are not even able to take good care of the original Taj. I still loathe my visit to city of Agra. Its ridiculously dirty! I can still smell it and this is making me highly nauseous right now wait lemme smell my cuppa coffee. Though I forgot all this while I stood and saw the majestic Taj – ‘the original TAJ’.

Its actually shameful and embarassing at the time when my colleagues at work are aksing me about the status or possibility of Commonwealth Games finally happening. Its highly insulting when the UN reports that the world hunger is on the rise for a decade specially in Asia. Its almost insane to know at this very time the Samoans are battling the aftermath of Tsunami and we are talking about creating a replica.

We Indians be it here or back home love to splurge – its just in our DNA that materialism is good. We love to build statues of politicians in Noida and Shivaji in middle of sea! We love statues and replicas and all things nice. We just don’t care about the harsh realities. The Noida entrance beautification project is a shame! The big statue of Buddha and overarching iron ornated curves which were not painted two years back as people objected to the flow of funds and politicians lost the elections.

Raj here has given his inputs too – Thanks Raj   //Don’t like the idea……so many issues…Its not good for social integration with the local population and as usual indians will form groups within the community and fight within themselves for control of the place. It will reduce the charm of the actual taj mahal for kiwis and tourist numbers may drop (Also because The replica will be a cheap imitation)//

This has driven me insane since the time I have read this…sheer wastage that’s all I can say and really cheap!

I have been told instead of criticizing it I should suggest solutions – I am not sure what solutions can I present apart from utilizing the $20mn in a productive manner! Also this post is not India bashing post. This is just about how obnoxious one can get in name of tourism. I hereby speak as a tourist and a common person not Indian not NRI or not any country’s citizen! I am writing as a tortured student who travelled via the Noida entrance route daily getting late for tuitions courtesy the riots or the protests over the beautification. I am writing as a tourist who was afraid of drinking water in Agra. I am not here for solutions – if we need one I might as well start writing another post which I highly don’t intend to do so. After all what power do I have to dare make any suggestions when the master plan for the replica is already on its way! I can just take out my frustration over someone’s obnoxiousness.

You have your rights of opinion – bouquets and brickbats are welcomes – to each his/her own. And this post and this blog is my own!

(Read NZ Herald’s NZ Leading Daily cover story here)

Thank you all for the lovely comments on the pics on FB and your wishes

The birthday party was awesome and I had time of my life. The living room was converted to a dance floor courtesy the lights and free space to dance.

We prepared the food items on Friday night and packed them. On Saturday morning we reached the party venue and decorated it with balloons and ribbons – used the colors I love – yes pink and white. Tested the sound system and did little bit dance too. The playlist featured 152 songs!!!!!!

Wore a nice black and white dress. Guests started arriving around 5:45 pm. Got gifts. The house looked full and people chatted and enjoyed the beer and wine along with the roasted veggie sandwiches and chicken nibbles.

Cake was yummy Strawberry Torte…and I gave the first piece to everyone. A statutory warning was issued – if no loud birthday song – then no cake!! Gave a speech that ended with everyones’ awwwwwwwwwww.

Changed my dress quickly and slipped onto the Satin and Chiffon Bottle Green dress (thank you girls – yeah I love it toooooooooo).

Sujatha and I had prepared a suprise dance on ‘Dance pe chance maarle’. Performance got rave reviews check out the video on FB

Danced and danced and danced. Soph got me beautiful necklace and bracelet going perfectly with my dress and I wore it. She and I danced on Rich Girl coz she couldn’t find a better number in my otherwise Bollywood populated iTunes.

Danced again solo on Aaja Nachle ala Madhuri Dixit

Posed a lot for shutterbugs.

Took some Salsa and Meringue lessons.

Finally finished it by opening my pressies.

Came back home and slept at 2 am!

iPhone is awesome and enjoying it…in fact have used iPhone for this post
Thank you everybody and thank you sweetheart for the lovely and delightful birthday you are the best.

Its the magic of ‘K’….how it all began with Sharara Sharara and continued with Dil mein jo baat hai keh du..have loved her like crazy..she is the crackiest soul I have ever met who is a total darling at the same time…bindaas pari….angel She is a total hottie and a great kisser

She inspired me when I was going through a really low phase in life and said – ‘even if you have done it others shouldn’t be bothered… its your life!’. These words gave me enough strength to cope up and hold my head high.

I have seen her grow from a gawky straight out of school messy girl to a responsbile sophisticated damsel but not categorically in distress. (messy read : biting her nails like a maniac and even eating her cuticle skin uuuurggghhhhhhh god knows how many times I have lectured her!!! and now she has finally managed to have perfect french manicured nails complete with hot red nail paint and hair so gorgeous….) reminds me of the time I gave you my tip to apply hair pack of yoghurt on your hair and you were so happy when it worked for you or the simple thing when you aksed me how was I getting the curls in the hair and I recommended you that shampoo….

The way you once bought me a spiral har bound notebook from a nearby stationery shop at your place and how I once got you some earrings that you luuurvvvveeeddd // the way we celebrated lohri at your place// your bro’s engagement and wedding just one day before Operational Research’s paper ouiii maaa// did project work on Hotel Management in your room that ended in a fight between Mayank and I…. hahahahh and I got some choley in my dabba and how you returned it to me with aaloo paranthas…hahhahaha

How you always downloaded songs for me and gave me mp3s//our walks to the messy photocopier in Ashok Nagar of all the places…..//your chats about Punnu (Puneeta) and Ritz in Bangalore (Ritwik)// your monday leaves // your questions on Operation Research or Java programming…..

Your stupid interactions with KRV Sir or Joshi Sir or Amit sir….the way you teased me about TP Sir….hahahhahaaa insane is the word…..

The funky time Monu, you and I spent…..gossipping….or just being stupid..
Can’t forget the day when in Kanhaiyya Sir’s class you both said something and I laughed really loud and he asked me to leave the class and I still didn’t stop my laughter..finally the bell rang!! Man I am not sure if you remember all this but yeah golden memories of my BIT days are courtesy our funtastic group of Krazzzy 5!!!  Otherwise I think I was pretty much boring always neck deep in books…..

We have done so many silly things together – making fun of others, talking while studying, writing notes in each others notebooks, been thrown out of lecture (my first and last experience), exchanged clothes, nursed imaginary crushes on our back bencher dude (!!I am not taking any names here!!), talked woman to woman, yelled, danced, sang….. ooohh too many memories are crossing my mind right now.

The way you gulped your Chicken McGrill in lunch time at Sector 16 Mc Donalds or simply the way you texted with the speed of lightning…awwww……..

In all all she is a sweet heart..I was touched when once during our gtalk convo I said – ‘dude you are like my sister’ and you said – ‘you are not like my sister you are my sister’. awwwwwww :’(

Hoshiyaar//Getting it taped//Telgi dialog//DLHL//BIT days//Channe Kulche//Muscle Power///your stories of Blue lines and DTCs and rides with Alka//our fights over who is thinner//your excitement when you got your Samsung blue light background cellphone//your SMSs//Gandhi pic//Celebrating our 20th bdy together at my place then going to Berco’s – damn girl upload those pics na scan karke – my album copy is still in Delhi//Freshers Party – you being Ms Fresher and I being Ms Popular….

Jimmy’s adventure…hhahaha Valentine’s Day and how we cracked up laughing – hey K! HAHHAAHA…

(though you were not so happy abt celebrating your bdy with me as you thought it was wya toooo early still you did and shows how great your are) muuaahh

HAHHAHAHA muuuuaaaaaahhhhh love you darl
 
I will always be proud to be your (girl)friend glad we met..even though we started with hating each other I thought you were too arrogant and you thought the same but we striked a cord when we sat together in First Sem and boy we clicked and rocked……and I can never forget your infectious enthusiasm to get ragged on first day! I was thinking what the heck – is this girl crazy or what…. unknowing that we will be dancing on table tops in canteen on Sharara Sharara…….the very same day!!

Have an awesomest birthday girlie…may you reach the sky and success touch your feet…and all things good and nice come your way and all the tensions go towards people you hate hahahahaaaa..buri nazar waale tera muh kaala,bhagwan kare tere bachche jeeye aur bade hokar tera khoon peeye…

Babes will continue to love your zany flava till eternity..muuuaaahhhh..
As I always say – tu meri sabse fav hai chinta mat kar

Yeah I gave you all ample dosage of my hindi amateur poetry and its time I share some personal rants!!
Its Oct 5..just one more day to go for the Bdy…I updated the blogfolks last yr about the bdy plans..this yr too preparations and planning started in late August.

We came out with a list of close friends and we will be having a bash on 10th, Saturday as the birthday is on a weekday.
First things first which was a major point of cordial disagreement between the loving us was the Dress…yeah we were hunting for this outfit that I had in my mind since 3-4 weeks and coming back empty handed. I just had this vision of what I wanted and was not settling on anything remotely or closely similar. He gave up his hopes and was pretty upset with me!!! Finally Soni aunty told me about this store and we went there on Saturday, 3 Oct. It was close to 3:45 pm and stores here close at 5pm sharp. I had given hopes of finding my outfit and had settled my mind to wear the black dress I wore to Beca Christmas Cocktails last year. But yeah I was fortunate enough to spot it. Infact I liked two dresses there which were in complete contrast of each other.

The cake is booked and bigger and cuter than last year’s. The menu is finally fixed and I am not altering it any more.
The dance party lights are booked and so is the party playlist.
The invites are sent out.

All I need is good luck for weather to be good and super shiny for the day party (yeah there are two parties) I also hope i get double the gifts

Will share some pics here soonish.

Wish us luck. I still can’t guess my surprise gift – have been told I will either jump with sheer joy or sigh with sheer disappointment(!!). Will obviously share the gift details too in part 2 of this post.

Off topics – saw ‘Whats you Rashee’ (sheer crap!), 8 weeks to fly, shopping for gifts for family back home, can’t wait to see ‘Wake Up Sid’ but party prep and assignments are keeping me busy, can’t guess my surprise gift..and its killing me, The Body Shop is giving me 20% off on all its product during the whole birthday week (wohoo going tomorrow to raid the store) and Xbox 360 is still at the Microsoft’s Aussie centre for repair so basking in the glory of hubby’s full time attention

Its time I get my Wii – Fit

I wrote this poem in 1999 showing the clash between the egoes of a mighty sun (read : man) and a humble ray (read  : woman). I hope these metaphors try to get the message of the poem across to my readers. Its petty amateurish please bear the fact that it is written in 99…I was still in middle school….

अस्तित्व

आकाश पर चढ़ते सूरज ने
पुछा एक अटपटा सा सवाल
क्या तेज है तुम में मुझ जैसे चमकने का ?
अभी अभी उगी एक किरण ने
इठलाके कुछ यूँ कहा :
‘ तेज तो नहीं है मुझ में तुम जैसे चमकने का,
पर लालिमा का श्रेय तो मुझे ही जाता है,
जो छटकती है ज़मीन पर मेरे आँचल से,
और किरण किरण मिलकर
फैलाती है उजाला
अब कहो क्या जोर है तुम में
ज़मीन पर गिरकर उजाला फेलाने का ? ‘

सूरज देख कर किरण की दृढ्ता
कुछ सकपका सा जाता है,
मुकर कर कहता है:
‘दिन रात जल जल कर
भस्म होता हूँ मैं
ताकि दुसरे जीवन व्यापन कर सके
तुम तो सिर्फ पहुचाती हो उजाला,
मैं तो उजाला देकर, खुद खो जाता हूँ अँधेरे में
अब तुम कहो क्या जोर है तुम में खुद को भस्म करने का ? ‘

किरण मुस्कुराती है और कुछ यूँ कहती है :
‘तुम तो उजाला देने के लिए बस रात भर जाते हो अन्धकार में,
पर उजाला देने के बाद मैं मिलती हूँ धरा से
समाप्त करती हूँ अपना अस्तित्व गिर गिर के
अब तुम कहो क्या जोर है तुम में -
अपना अस्तित्व समाप्त करने का? ‘

सालो बाद निकाली स्टोर रूम से

धुल सनी पुरानी डायरी

यादो की बारात निकाली

धुल सनी पुरानी डायरी

बचपन के दिन, दादाजी के साथ खेल के दिन,

वो जिद के दिन, मासूमियत के दिन,

शरारतो के दिन, माँ से डांट खाने के दिन

यादो की बारात निकाली

धुल सनी पुरानी डायरी

तीन पहियों वाली साइकिल को खीचने के दिन

अपने जन्मदिन के इंतज़ार के दिन,

दोस्तों से चिढ़ने बिगाड़ने के दिन

कभी अब्बा तो कभी कट्टी करने के दिन

यादों को अब्बा कहती

यादो की बारात निकाली

धुल सनी पुरानी डायरी

Wrote this poem in 1999. I found my old diary today; sharing one of the poems with you

कुछ नमी सी थी उन आँखों में जब आखरी बार बंद किया था,
एक जलन सी थी उन आँखों में जब आखरी बार उन्हें पोछा था

पलकों की शिकायत भी कम न होती थी जब आखरी बार उन्हें मसला था
सूखे हुआ गालो पे जब हाथ अपना फेरा था

रोते हुए चेहरे के रंग को एक बार फिर से यूं खिलाया था
कोई देख न ले रोते हुए इस डर से आंसुओं को छुपाया था

कोई जान न ले उन आँखों के टूटे सपनो को
इस चिंता में उन्हें कुछ पिघलाया था

कोई हँसे न बेबसी पे मेरी, इस उलझन में चेहरा मुस्काया था
हंसती हुई आँखों ने फिर से यूं आंसुओं को छलकाया था

It was still raining and she was tired of wiping the mud footprints from the carpet. Sonia kept yelling at the children to either stay out or stay in. Her rattled behaviour was much avoided by the children who kept running in the garden.

Mahi was lost; she knew this day would be coming and had practiced what all she would say but at this stage it all looked bizzarre. Mahi was motionless and was seeing the flashes of scenes that took her two years back.

Yash’s sister was giggling and not letting them enter the home while negotiating for a good neg for her new bhabhi. Mahi was tired and sore of wearing heavy wedding trousseau and could feel the flowers turning soggy in her hair. The cold morning was indifferent and she waited for a moment of silence.

Several seasons had passed since both of them talked. The words were said but without substance, the pleasantries were exchanged but without warmth, the emotions were transformed from being affected to being aloof. The relationship was going on a track too straight with no exciting corners to look forward to or any romantic tunnels to cozy up to. The lock that binded them became more of a communal sect one adheres to.

Sonia came into their life when they were almost unaware of their existence under the same roof. Sonia had discovered the illness that prevailed in the house, she felt the emptiness that was not hiding well behind the décor of the house nor the heavy picture frames that hung on the otherwise white walls. She talked to Yash and tried diving in his heart and check if any feelings were left in the otherwise happy guy she knew earlier. He couldn’t say much and stuck to monosyllables for the rest of the seemingly pointless conversation. She didn’t give up and told him to talk to her whenever he wanted. She hugged him and let him feel some emotional warmth he had been missing all the while.

Mahi was even difficult to approach. If Yash was stuck on his monosyllables, she was stuck with her stone cold appearance that shooked Sonia. Sonia blabbered for hours and hours while Mahi sat motionless as if the two shared different languages.

Sonia knew she had no place in that house and prepared to make a move. The sound was coming from outside, a sound which was not heard in the house for years. She went out to check. They were laughing, Mahi was making fun of Yash’s dance steps and giggled and tears rolled down her eyes. They both looked like young people who had first time fallen in love. Her smile was captivating and Yash just looked at her cherubic face and thanked god million times inside his heart for gifting him Mahi. Mahi was happy with the five balloons he had bought for her on the beach and felt happy and prayed to god to freeze the moment as she never wanted more. Sonia looked at Mahi and Yash who were watching the recording of their honeymoon video which the children had found in the big rimu finished CD rack next to the LCD screen.

The house was big and everything whatever Mahi and Yash had dreamt of their dream home. It was large and in the posh suburbs right next to the golf course Yash went every Saturday morning. The house was inhabited in two rooms by them and the other spare space was adorned with pieces of everything glorious Mahi could figure out from the bulk of Interior magazines she had subscribed since last five years.

TV news, newspapers, radio, internet all the media made them aware of the first recession they had seen in their lives. The pressure was overgrowing at the workplace and both were coping with it and gasping at the monthly installments they were paying for their dream. His pressure was rising at the mention of relocating to Qatar where there was still hope for Mechanical Engineers like him while Mahi relented to the demand of extra shifts in her troubled KPO. They both knew they were paying the installments with their relationship and its bond.

The time difference and the stress and the loneliness ensured they spoke perfectly to each other on the web chats. They both told how their day was, what did they eat and how was the weather. The chat ended with their stoic yawns and banalities of love you’s and an obvious distance that was separating them now even virtually.

GDP was progressing and the economy was finally “out” of recession. The economic cycle was moving to another state and so was Yash. Two years had passed when they had started as newly weds to a couple who celebrated their anniversaries in different worlds. They were like strangers who lived together and paid the bills together to keep the dream home running. The void looked irreparable and enough damage was done when the phone call came. Sonia was back in Yash’s life.

The recording finished with Mahi proclaming on a mountain ‘I Love you’ and Yash smiled at the echo when Mahi giggled at her echo. All they could hear now was the noise of the rain while Sonia yelled at the children to either stay out or stay in.

Just of two of them were there. So much to be said and heard. The words were just not coming right in the mind at the very moment when they felt a sudden urge to wipe the distance. She knew this day would be coming and had practiced what all she would say but at this stage it all looked bizzarre. They hugged and now all looked better and worth paying for.

They held hands while Sonia and the children looked for the correct gate number at the airport. She hugged them and asked Yash for a good neg for her new bhabhi.

============

neg = customary gifts that sisters ask during a wedding; bhabhi = sister in law

Avada has tagged me to list 5 of my favorite dancing numbers. Sorry honey for being tad too late…was occupied with the uni exams…

I love dancing and as it is a major stressbuster for me, I am taking liberty here to list more than my fair share of 5 tracks that groove me just about any where – car, shower, kitchen, office, road, crossings, malls………

(Songs are listed in no particular order!). See the amazing videos tooo…

1. Aaja Nachle – Boy I love dancing and matching Madhuri’s step. This one is my favorite and I love the typical bollywood matkas and jhatkas on this track. Last time I danced on it was on Sujatha’s Diwali party in 2008 (kinda solo).

2. To Brazil – Vengaboys eternal song…..man we danced a lot on this on my parent’s 25 Wedding Anniversary celebrations. Whenever I listen to this track – I think of old gold days and see happy faces of mom and dad.

3. Sukhbir’s Sauda Khara Khara – Any Sukhbir song and we all cousins would turn nuts…..Dil Lena Dil Dena – Hai Sauda Khara Khara….Nachley Soniye, Dil Kare (Macha’s fav track )

4. Aahun Aahun – I actually dance sitting in my office while listening to this on iPod. Ankh lad jaana, mar mukh jaana, ekoiye kahaani bus badle zamaana. Can’t wait to flaunt my grooves on my birthday bash!! Shhhh Sshhhh Sssshhhhh details will be posted later

5. Chor Bazaari – Love this one…..naughty steps and fultoo masti after being high! You betcha rang birnaga paani peeke seedhi saadhi mehak bigad gai…

6. I gotta feeling – BEP I love you for giving us this every party number. Ppppppparty everyday…ppppparty everyday….I love – ‘lets burn the roof – wohoooo and we do it aggggaainnn….Crazy Soph and I danced away to glory on Beca ball on this one.

7. Jahaan Teri Ye Nazar Hai – Mimicking the famous Big B dance step and memories of Conti party revisited. We danced a lot on this song on our last day of school life!

8. Dil Le Gayi Kudi Gujarat Di – Another oldy but awesome song. ‘Kem Cho Majja Macho’. Another one in the same league would be Aaja Nachle (Hans Raj Hans aur Bally Sagoo waala). Or as a matter of fact Sagoo’s Gur Naalo Ishq Mittha tooo yaay I am high on these desi punjabi numbers

9. Mauja Hi Mauja – I love Shahid’s and Hrithik’s dance and this one is my favorite number. O maahi mera sharbat verga, o maahi tennu cham cham rakhna!

10. Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen – Another classics and awesome songs to let your hair loose. Friday nights and the lights are low..looking out for a place to go – where they play the right music….yeah babbby right music that’s what its all about…

11. Dance pe chance – A musical tutorial for typical bollywood jhatkas. Ek haath uta le yara jaise suiyan 7 se 12 le ban gaya step soniya….dooja haath hile zara neeche, jaise udti patang koi kheeche- Le ban gaya step soniya. I can so totally teach my partner some steps on this one???

12. Balle Balle je soniya te rang vekh lo (Balle Balle Amritsar to LA) – Awesome mix from the crossover movie. I was suppressing my feelings and acting as a shy bride on my engagement when they played this song and I knew I had to dance and I did too And now I am dancing while seeing the video….

13. Sajnaji Waari Waari – Crazy dance moves by KK from the movie Honeymoon Travels. Love dancing on this one!

There are so many more..sorry Avada for being late, I was tied with uni earlier and now with the party preps…….will post the detailed info about the party we are planning with the pics soon..

Wish me luck

Sakshi was finishing the soggy toast while lifting the crumbs carefully with the tea towel. The coffee pot had left a major stain and she wondered how would she take it out permanently. Arnab was looking for the other grey sock while tying the knot of his shiny black tie. Phula was cribbing about the new dish wash liquid and catching a glimpse or two at the new 50 inch LCD screen.

He asked Sakshi to help him out in looking for the other sock and cribbed at Phula’s constant cribbing. Phula retaliated by breaking his regular coffee mug and saying a deep oho. Sakshi snapped at her and told Arnab to look properly, he kept muttering something and went back to the bed room to find the mysteriously disappeared grey sock.

The toast was devoured avidly while seeing him tormented. She got up and kept the plate next to Phula. Finally she decided she will bail him out of his agony and told him to look for it in the dryer. Arnab was content and gave final nod to himself in the full length mirror and left home!

Sakshi was left alone. She was blank. The time was here – where she didn’t knew what to do. Go out and shop aimlessly or try a new recipe knowing convincingly that offcourse oh mumma hoti to aisa banaati. She thought may be she should change the floor plan and move furniture around but then Arnab didn’t notice the new sofa that was there in the living room that costed him a fortune. Art gallery had an exhibition on but then did she really cared about the art, she could have gone for the new skin refinement treatment but did she really needed one after the spa treeatment he had gifted to her just last week.

She looked at Phula and asked her – simply aur Phula kaisa chal raha hai. She smiled and said all is well and continued her work. She was so occupied, she had too much to do – organize the daily day and finish the house work before heading off to Mathurs.

Sakhi picked up the phone and called her friend Vaani. She was busy getting her tan removed after her fortnight holiday in Johannesburg and said she will call later.

Sakshi gave up trying to accomodate her blank day and kept sitting and enjoying the new Italian couch. She looked at that; she had bought it to compliment the sofa and the centre table. She knew it she was it – sitting pretty in the middle – being the centre of attraction but totally void of any substance or matter, just sitting coyly like a curio in Arnab’s showcase, a tag which he had tagged along to be taken to his clientele’s business launch parties or to the award ceremonies.

Sakshi was the vase!

She was the vase in Arnab’s life – totally pointless – bought to fill up random places in the living room without any urge to adorn it with some flowers or occassional ribbons.

We were provided handouts on A quick and easy Smart water use check up to see how we can save water, power and money!

I am providing below a short synopsis of tips that I think are great and easy to measure.

Get a pen and paper and record the results as you work around your home.

1. TAPS

If any of the taps in your kitchen, bathroom or laundry are:

• Individual hot and cold taps mounted on the counter top or
• Single lever (mixer) faucet/tap or
• Individual taps with a combined spout

To check the flow rate – do this:

a. Turn the water on and run it at your normal flow

b. Place a container under and tap and collect water for 10 seconds

c. Measure the volume of water collected (e.g. pour into a measuring cup)

d. Multiply the volume x 6 to determine flow rates in litres per minute (l/min)

If the flow rate is more than 12l/min on any tap, consider installing an aerator or flow restrictor to reduce to 9l/min ir less – a minimum 25% reduction.

2. TOILETS

Check toilet type. Is the toilet:

• Single Flush orDual flush (can’t be imrpoved)

If the toilet is single flush model:

a. Take the top off the tank behind the toilet

b. Locate the centre post with washes that keeps the water in the tank

c.Flush the toilet and watch the action of the lever arms and centre post.

To reduce the volume of water used during each flush. you can:

a. Adjust the lever arm so that the float stops the tank refilling at a lower level – this gives a modest reduction in water us or

b. Install a cistern weight, hanging it over the centre post – this can reduce water use by as much as 60% every flush!!! To function properly, hold the flush lever down until the bowl is clear then release it. when you do this. the weight forces the washer to close and prevents any more water escaping.

3. SHOWER

If the shower is a :

• Standard/wall mount shower or
• Slide and hose type

Check the flow rate. To do this:

a. Turn the water on and run it at your normal flow.

b. Place a container (e.g. a pail) under the shower flow and collect water for 10 seconds.

c. Measure the colume of water collected (e.g. pour into a standard size container)

d. Multiply the volume x 6 to determine flow rate in litres per minute.

If the flow rate is more than 18l/min, you can install a low-flow showerhead or flow restrictor to reduce it to 9 or 12l/min – this provides a minimum 33% reduction in water use.

Start saving water, power and money!

Save even more money by reducing your shower time. Go for the famous ‘four-minute’ shower (I need to practice this when I am preaching this)

Lets straight away come to the point. I am listing a couple of activities that I have enjoyed doing so far. I am claustrophobic and get panicky easily, I can’t swim to save my life! and I am definitely scared of heights but still have managed to do some of my own ‘fear factor’ stunts!

1. Parasailing – Last day of honeymoon and I went parasailing desiring for more of it! This was my first ever adventure activity and I loved every micro second of it. Check the vidoe here with my expert comments in the end
   

   Getting ready!

2. Bungy Jumping – aaah, first Christmas in New Zealand and we four did bungy jumping from the scenic location of Taupo. I have the longest video I guess – I was just not jumping, thinking hard why why why Mehak why are you so insane to do this? Why? Are you mad or have no sanity left! Guess I just did it coz I wanted to come out of my coccoon. Got an achivement certificate as well.
   

   Hey bhaggu...

3. Kayaking – On our second honeymoon in Waiheke Islands, no idea of swimming but yeah did it first time right in the middle of ocean! Brruuuahh right I don’t know what was I thinking
   

   Coming back to the shore!

4. Black Water Rafting – This was scarier than Bungy jump as I had no idea what the heck it was gonna be and trust me if I had even a little idea I’d have never dared to do it no matter I was paid mills for it!! The warming up session in Waitomo included testing our fitness and physical levels and the test included jumping in a RIVER from your back side! I mean you can’t look before jumping and just jumping in cold cold cold water (not forgetting we were coming back from sub zero temperature after having fun times in snow!). Well kinda passed the test and headed towards the cave..deep under the earth with no light just the torches on our hard hats and wet suits that were so cold already! I lost my contact lense when I drowned in the dark black water! I was practically blind after that while cruising my way thru it with help from hubby dear. There is no other way out from there as once you have entered it you have to complete it! I just gave up and jumped and sailed my way through the tunnel while being bruised by the sharp cave limestone rocks and squeezing my way through the tiny spaces. Finally we saw the magical glow worms! Switched off our torches and saw millions of glowworm – it felt as if we are outside and looking at twinkling stars in the sky! We came out – our faces were swollen….and we gulped lots of warm soup and bagels! Got an achivement certificate as well.
   

   Now entering the deep cave

   

   Inside the cave - it was much darker here...pic doesn't justifies

   

   hehehe before going inside! being dude before becoming dead as dodos

   5. SNORKELLING – The clear tropical water of Rarotonga and us snorkelling and exploring the amazing underwater world – WOW. Saw different beautiful shoals of fishes. Rainbow colored, bright shiny blue and silvers and greens and beaming yellows and greens touching my feet and coming and eating bread from my hand…and sometimes banana too bet they can eat just about anything! The water in Cook Islands is so clear that you can actually see fishes from the shore only! The experience is etched in my mind and I’d love to go back and do more of it..specially look out for the giant ‘Star Fish’ other snorkellers told us about! Saw lots of crabs – did crab hunting and did betting on crab race!

   

   The lovely Raro- cant wait to go bk

   

   Feeding bread to fishies before diving in

   

   waiting to take the crabs out of isolation booth!

We are now planning to do Sky Diving shortly! I am quite intrigued by it…I will be damn scared and fear I might die of heart attack – but who cares – I will still do it…wohoooo..shhhhh not telling mom….her warning to me before I go for holdiays is – kahi se upar mat jaana aur kahi se neeche mat aana! .

Also looking forward to explore other tropical countries in the Pacific – New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tahiti…eh…..   I so totally feeling like heading to the airport…

Other activities that I have enjoyed so far are going on a Antarctic encounter and seeing Penguins – lots of them! And also seeing giant ostriches, cute kangaroos and Dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf!

Yaay lots of Pingus.....Emperor pingus too

Avada, the golden infectious girl has striked yet again and presented me with not one but two awards!

I have never written any blog post considering to promote it via some random awards or ‘best blogger’ forums. This is my space – my space where I vent out all the flirted ideas I have had in mind througout the day – I don’t mind if I don’t get any comments – what matters is being inactive on wordpress for so long has still reaped me 55k+ visitors (Hope Reema is satisfied now!!!!) readers and some of them have written me personal emails sharing their experiences!

I read others blogs! I necessarily don’t comment! But I read them…..and smile and frown at the words.

I didn’t write a post when I finished my 50th post, 100th post, 120th post and so on! Similarly, I never wrote a post to celebrate my 10k visitor or 25k or now more than 55k visitors.

What started off as ‘Mind Flirting with Thoughts’ is still continuing – its my medium where I write my honest opinions and share my constant rants of confused mind.

I would like to say thanks to Avada for sticking to the blog and being its youngest regular visitor and posting her regular comments, kudoz to Sakhi for being a sakhi – she has been there – we might have not discussed a lot but in a way she sorted a lot of my personal mess, thanks Harsh – I remember reading your whole blog in a single day – I was so intrigued by it!, thanks Kiran for making me feel known since ages in each and every message we have exchanged ever, thanks Reema and Amit and Vishesh for your kind comments

In the end, you can enjoy some of my previous work here. I recommend the short sories section to start with! Cheers.

Thanks Avada – doll you rock ! Here’s an award from me to you – a unique award started by me and meant for you only; don’t tag further! Love ya heaps

I have survived this killer girl